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NFL Picks

Betting on NFC East Exact NFL Divisional Finishes

Every team in the NFC East has won the division at least once since 2009 and three of four have won it twice since 2007. Here's a look at each club's NFL odds for a finish of No. 1-4.

The NFL loves parity and no division has had more of it lately than the NFC East.

Philadelphia EaglesNFL odds (from BetOnline): first +120, second +275, third +350, fourth +500
Chip Kelly's first season as the Philly head coach was a rousing success as the Eagles won the NFC East for the first time since 2010 -- the last team to repeat in the division was also Philadelphia when it won four straight from 2001-04. Kelly's up-tempo offense didn't necessarily alter the universe but it was effective as the Eagles ranked No. 2 in the NFL in total offense behind Denver and led the league in rushing. Running back LeSean McCoy (probably the only back you should take in Round 1 of your fantasy draft), quarterback Nick Foles and receiver DeSean Jackson all had monster seasons. To me the question here is about the latter two. Foles is going to regress a bit, that's just a fact. No one has a TD-interception ratio of 27:2. Shoot, Foles threw two alone in the preseason opener against Chicago in limited action. Jackson, meanwhile, was released apparently because he's a member of the Crips or Bloods or something. Well, that's perhaps not 100 percent true, but it clearly wasn't for football reasons. Do the Eagles have enough at receiver to replace him? Jeremy Maclin is returning after a serious knee injury, the team has solid Riley Cooper and is high on rookie Jordan Matthews. He had nine catches for 104 yards in Philly's preseason loss at New England this past weekend. The defense hasn't looked good at all in two preseason games.

New York GiantsNFL odds: first +330, second +225, third +250, fourth +250
This could be one of those seasons where the Giants go 5-11 or reach the Super Bowl. You just never know with this team. I tend to believe that the former is much more likely. Eli Manning still makes funny commercials with his brother, but Eli is going backwards. His numbers have gotten appreciably worse since 2011. Last year Manning led the NFL with a career-high 27 interceptions and his 69.4 rating was the worst since his rookie year. The club didn't have much of a running game in 2013 and already has lost tailback and former first-round pick David Wilson for his career. Who is a difference-maker on the club? Maybe Victor Ortiz on offense. Defensively? Jason Pierre-Paul used to be, but he's slipped big time the past few seasons as well.

Dallas CowboysNFL odds: first +400, second +300, third +240, fourth +175
Ah, the Cowboys. They had the worst defense in franchise history in 2013. In the first preseason game, that unit gave up 27 points and 395 to the Chargers. In the second game, Baltimore rung up 37 points. The four best defenders last year on the team were probably Jason Hatcher, DeMarcus Ware, Sean Lee and Orlando Scandrick. The first three are gone or out for the season. Scandrick is suspended the first four games, an item I touched upon last week. The Cowboys are going to have to average 30 points a game to have a shot at a winning record. Do you trust Tony Romo and his surgically repaired back to accomplish that? I don't.

Washington RedskinsNFL odds: first +350, second +250, third +220, fourth +225
The Redskins were the beneficiaries of Philadelphia cutting Jackson as they pounced quickly. Washington was Jackson's first visit and owner Dan Snyder simply didn't let him leave before getting his name on a contract. It could be an electric offense with a fully healthy Robert Griffin III, Jackson, Pierre Garcon and running back Alfred Morris. RGIII seems energized not just because he's going to shed that bulky knee brace this year but also by new head coach Jay Gruden. As an added bonus, Washington might have the best backup quarterback in the NFL in Kirk Cousins if Griffin were to get hurt. The defense, on the other hand, doesn't look particularly strong although the Skins added the Cowboys' Hatcher. We should see a lot of NFC East games in the 60s this year.

NFL Free Picks: Eagles repeat. They are followed by Washington, the Giants and Dallas. Meaning both New York's Tom Coughlin and the Cowboys' Jason Garrett will be looking for work.